Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Overview

Every Mac with a Mini DisplayPort allows you to connect an external display or projector using an adapter. You can use an external display as your main workspace or to extend your desktop, or you can work in mirrored mode with a projector so you can view what your audience sees.

Use the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter to connect an advanced digital monitor, such as the 20- or 23-inch Apple Cinema Display, that includes a DVI connector. Review the documentation or check with the manufacturer of your monitor to make sure you're choosing the right adapter.

System Requirements

Compatible with Mac computers with Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt ports

DVI-D Single Link (Digital only, 1920x1200@60Hz)

This is the Mini-DisplayPort to DVI-D single-link adapter.
DVI-D single-link means that ONLY DIGITAL signals will be output, with the maximum supported resol
This is the Mini-DisplayPort to DVI-D single-link adapter.
DVI-D single-link means that ONLY DIGITAL signals will be output, with the maximum supported resolution at 60Hz being 1920x1200 (2.75 megapixels to be exact).
The adapter easily plugs into the Mini-DisplayPort jack of new aluminum unibody Macbooks and Macbook Pros, and the other end is female DVI-D. Be aware that you cannot physically fit your DVI-I cables into the DVI-D female end. However, since all 24 pins are open, DVI-D dual-link cables can physically fit just as well as DVI-D single-link cables, and can be used to carry the SINGLE-LINK signal to your TV or monitor.
I was surprised how light-weight this adapter is; a plus for carrying around. I was worried that the relatively heavier cables would pull the plug out from the notebook, but the adapter fits quite snugly in the Macbook Pro. The two screws on the DVI cable I used could not reach their holes in the adapter (female end is not deep enough), however, it was not a concern since the cable still fit tightly into the adapter.
So, if you dont have a DIGITAL display larger than 1920x1200, this adapter will be fine. Since HDTV is 1920x1080 this adapter is good enough for me. If you are looking to drive larger digital displays, get the dual-link adapter instead. Also, remember that analog is not supported with this adapter.

Written by Vernon T from North York

Nov 11, 2008

2501 of 2688 people found this useful

Is this review useful?DVI-D Single Link (Digital only, 1920x1200@60Hz)

2.0 out of 5 stars

DVI drops Analog signal, DVI-D only

We know the Mini DisplayPort can output an analog signal because there's a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter. So why does this adapter drop the analog signal and
We know the Mini DisplayPort can output an analog signal because there's a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter. So why does this adapter drop the analog signal and go strictly to DVI-D (Digital only) instead of DVI-I (analog & digital)? The old MacBook Pro's had DVI-I. So this adapter is not a replacement to what used to come standard on MacBook Pros! I'm left very frustrated.

Written by David J from Gray

Oct 24, 2008

1905 of 2340 people found this useful

Is this review useful?DVI drops Analog signal, DVI-D only

4.0 out of 5 stars

Be sure of your pinouts

This is a DVI-D (single-link) connector - look up DVI on Wikipedia, if you're not sure of the difference. You can NOT simply connect to a DVI-I connector, like
This is a DVI-D (single-link) connector - look up DVI on Wikipedia, if you're not sure of the difference. You can NOT simply connect to a DVI-I connector, like Apple's own DVI-VGA adapter, because of the extra pins in DVI-I.
With the correct cabling, it seems to work just fine.

Written by Aaron M from Salamanca

Oct 21, 2008

1402 of 1590 people found this useful

Is this review useful?Be sure of your pinouts

1.0 out of 5 stars

For a $30 dongle it should last more than 1 year.

Really disappointed that it didn't last as long as the $9 knockoff I bought from Amazon.

Written by JOHN W from WILLIAMSTOWN

Oct 9, 2015

1 of 2 people found this useful

Is this review useful?For a $30 dongle it should last more than 1 year.

1.0 out of 5 stars

Adapter is awful

New Mac mini - Not old monitor... Random static upon waking from day one. Also, now a few wks. later, monitor gets weird sort of picture negative-like/ weird c
New Mac mini - Not old monitor... Random static upon waking from day one. Also, now a few wks. later, monitor gets weird sort of picture negative-like/ weird colors/ distorted look on desktop. Perhaps Apple should make a Thunderbolt 2 to DVI CABLE. This adapter is not reliable.

Written by Bridget K from Providence

Aug 27, 2015

1 of 3 people found this useful

Is this review useful?Adapter is awful

1.0 out of 5 stars

Totally Humpty Dumpty BS

I bought one from Staples. Used it for about 5 minutes and then it started making the image flicker. Now it just flickers the image every 5 seconds, making it i
I bought one from Staples. Used it for about 5 minutes and then it started making the image flicker. Now it just flickers the image every 5 seconds, making it impossible to watch anything on a projector / TV.

Best Answer:

IF your MBA is a late 2010 (ie. Latest) model, the Mini DisplayPort will carry audio as well as vide
IF your MBA is a late 2010 (ie. Latest) model, the Mini DisplayPort will carry audio as well as video. So - IF your TV has a HDMI port, you would be better off buying a Moshi Mini DP to HDMI adapter, so the audio can play through the TV.

Best Answer:

Thunderbolt and Mini display port are the same connector!
Any of the Mini display port adapters can
Thunderbolt and Mini display port are the same connector!
Any of the Mini display port adapters can be plugged into the Thunderbolt port.
Once Thunderbolt drives are available you will have to daisy chain displays and drives off the one Thunderbolt connector.

Best Answer:

Assuming you are using a recent Mac Mini with a HDMI port and a Thunderbolt port: Connect to one mon
Assuming you are using a recent Mac Mini with a HDMI port and a Thunderbolt port: Connect to one monitor using a standard HDMI cable. Connect to the second monitor using a MiniDisplay/Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter with an HDMI cable. Hope this helps!